With the Cheltenham Festival just a little over a week away Racing Post’s Upping The Ante returns to provide tips ahead of the action of the event.
Sponsored by bet365, David Jennings and Johnny Dineen return to talk all things Cheltenham while also answering questions from viewers before taking a look ahead to races at Kelso and Newbury this week.
On their picks for the Cheltenham Festival 2023, Dineen backed 16/1 longshot Inthepocket, trained by Henry De Bromhead, at the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle.
“I think he’s a good chance,” claimed Dineen. “I do think it’s a winnable enough race. There’s nothing sticking out in it. I think its form against Beaten Tree and Three Card Brag, that’s top novice form because they’re two top horses.”
On Dineen’s selection, Jennings added: “He’s one of those picks where he’s a bit of value and could be a very good horse and I like the way he’s been trained this season.”
Turning the attention to the Ultima Handicap Chase, Jennings went in favour of an English bred horse with Happy-Go-Lucky, who was second in the race two-years ago, as his pick during the event, coming in at 16/1 with bet365.
“He’s only had two runs since [Aintree]. Obviously had a problem last season and had a cracking run in rehearsal, I thought, behind Long Press into overdrive with second and went with Long Press most of the way and I thought it was a really good return to form.
“Forget the run at New Year’s day… two and a half miles is not Happy-Go-Lucky’s terms and conditions”
The show also saw Jennings and Dineen pick their Performance and Eyecatcher of the week and revealed their Ante-Post Picks.
